You can have the faith to move mountains, but if you don't have love, then you are nothing. As you grow in faith you will see your prayers answered. You will see your body healed when you are ill. You will see bills get paid when you didn't have enough to pay them. You will see your children serving God when you thought this would never happen. But, to grow in faith you have to use your faith to help others.
Galatians 5:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)6 …but faith working through love.
Your faith requires love in order to work. You have to love those people. Yes, I am talking about the ones that are hard to love. They may even hate you or make fun of you. In order for your faith to work you will have to love them. Now I don't mean love in the sense of having warm fuzzy feelings towards them. But I am talking about "Agape" love. Agape love has to do with "actions" rather than "feelings". Agape love will treat them right. Agape is not self seeking. It is not touchy, fretful or resentful. Agape does not seek it's own rights or it's own way. Agape seeks to help and not to hurt. Walk in love and your faith will overcome the world.
May 31, 2007
May 30, 2007
Spend Time In The Word Of God And Prayer
Romans 10:17 New International Version (NIV)17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Does your faith change things in your life? When you pray do your prayers get answered? When you confess the Word of God do you see things change for the better? Do you want to see greater results from your prayer life?
Then get in the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Build your faith up by keeping the Word of God in front of eyes and ears. Before you know it you will have what you were believing God for.
John 16:13 New International Version (NIV)13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
God always knows the answer. Get yourself in position to hear from God. Spend time in the Word of God and in prayer and you will see your faith change things in your life. You will see answers to your prayers. You will see your confessions manifest before your eyes.
Does your faith change things in your life? When you pray do your prayers get answered? When you confess the Word of God do you see things change for the better? Do you want to see greater results from your prayer life?
Then get in the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Build your faith up by keeping the Word of God in front of eyes and ears. Before you know it you will have what you were believing God for.
John 16:13 New International Version (NIV)13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
God always knows the answer. Get yourself in position to hear from God. Spend time in the Word of God and in prayer and you will see your faith change things in your life. You will see answers to your prayers. You will see your confessions manifest before your eyes.
May 29, 2007
What Are You Doing???????
James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
An old mountaineer and his wife who were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just whiling away the time. After a long silence, the wife said: "Jed, I think it's raining. Get up and look outside and see." The old mountaineer continued to gaze into the fire for a second, sighed, then said, "Aw, Ma, why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet.
We're so lazy sometimes! We Should be doing more and doing less talking about doing! God want's us to be doers not talkers.
God has a specific purpose for our lives at such a time as this. Let's start giving Him our all. There's so much work to be done!
An old mountaineer and his wife who were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just whiling away the time. After a long silence, the wife said: "Jed, I think it's raining. Get up and look outside and see." The old mountaineer continued to gaze into the fire for a second, sighed, then said, "Aw, Ma, why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet.
We're so lazy sometimes! We Should be doing more and doing less talking about doing! God want's us to be doers not talkers.
God has a specific purpose for our lives at such a time as this. Let's start giving Him our all. There's so much work to be done!
May 27, 2007
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man must be seeking the Lord to find it."
A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about...... For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.
In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.
When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. When we were to be married, she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. "Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?" Oh," she said, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."
In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.
When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. When we were to be married, she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. "Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?" Oh," she said, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."
May 26, 2007
Those Roving Eye's
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your
neighbor's wife or his male servant or female servant or his ox or
his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Exodus 20:17
Why are so many people discontented with their mates? Perhaps one
reason is they play the comparison game.
Picture a typical morning. A man gets up and starts his day. As he
rolls down the freeway, he drives by two or three beautiful women who
beckon seductively from billboards. One is dressed in slinky black
velvet; the others aren't dressed in much at all.
Hubby walks into his office building and inhales a blend of
"Obsession," "Passion" and "Giorgio Red" as he rides in an elevator
full of pretty secretaries, accountants and lawyers. He greets his
own attractive secretary, who is beautifully dressed, with perfect
hairdo and flawless makeup.
That evening our hero arrives home and flips on the tube to relax.
There it is-a rerun of his favorite James Bond movie. More beautiful
women falling into bed with 007. Then up pops a commercial selling
beer, cars or shampoo-with more perfectly shaped young things crowned
with glistening hair, perfect white teeth and flawless skin.
Our twentieth-century warrior glances over at his harried wife. She
is cooking dinner as two screaming kids with runny noses cling to her
legs like small anchors. More than one hair is definitely out of
place, the baby has spit food on her blouse and she smells more like
broccoli than perfume. And hubby begins to think, What's happened
here? How did I end up with this?
Of course it's easy to reverse this picture. The wife may make the
same kind of comparisons.
The basic problem with comparisons is that they are based on fantasy
games played from a distance. The beautiful people on TV don't look
quite that good up close, particularly at 6:00 A.M. It's always easy
to think the grass is greener on the other guy's lawn, until you look
closely and see all the dandelions and crabgrass.
neighbor's wife or his male servant or female servant or his ox or
his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Exodus 20:17
Why are so many people discontented with their mates? Perhaps one
reason is they play the comparison game.
Picture a typical morning. A man gets up and starts his day. As he
rolls down the freeway, he drives by two or three beautiful women who
beckon seductively from billboards. One is dressed in slinky black
velvet; the others aren't dressed in much at all.
Hubby walks into his office building and inhales a blend of
"Obsession," "Passion" and "Giorgio Red" as he rides in an elevator
full of pretty secretaries, accountants and lawyers. He greets his
own attractive secretary, who is beautifully dressed, with perfect
hairdo and flawless makeup.
That evening our hero arrives home and flips on the tube to relax.
There it is-a rerun of his favorite James Bond movie. More beautiful
women falling into bed with 007. Then up pops a commercial selling
beer, cars or shampoo-with more perfectly shaped young things crowned
with glistening hair, perfect white teeth and flawless skin.
Our twentieth-century warrior glances over at his harried wife. She
is cooking dinner as two screaming kids with runny noses cling to her
legs like small anchors. More than one hair is definitely out of
place, the baby has spit food on her blouse and she smells more like
broccoli than perfume. And hubby begins to think, What's happened
here? How did I end up with this?
Of course it's easy to reverse this picture. The wife may make the
same kind of comparisons.
The basic problem with comparisons is that they are based on fantasy
games played from a distance. The beautiful people on TV don't look
quite that good up close, particularly at 6:00 A.M. It's always easy
to think the grass is greener on the other guy's lawn, until you look
closely and see all the dandelions and crabgrass.
May 25, 2007
Building Wisely
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go, and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked. What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back.
You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely!
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go, and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked. What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back.
You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely!
May 24, 2007
Our Wonderful Counselor Part 4
Do you have a counselor? If you're born from above, you do. His name is Jesus Christ, and He is your Wonderful Counselor. Have you talked to Him about your problems? Have you gone to Him for healing?
Am I saying that we should never seek earthly counsel or help-professional or otherwise? No, there are times we need others' help and advice. And there are times when people who have particularly difficult problems need a biblically sound counselor.
But I do believe that most of us run to an earthly counselor before we really seek the help of the Wonderful Counselor. If a professional counselor advised us to see them three times a week for an hour each time, we'd do everything possible to keep the appointments. But how many of us would be willing to spend three hours a week seeking God's guidance, asking our Wonderful Counselor to speak to us, quietly sitting before Him, meditating on His Word and being in an attitude that gives Him an opportunity to give us inner guidance?
Earthly counselors may be helpful-again, if they are biblically sound-to help us see some things about ourselves that we need to see. But they can never heal us. Only the Wonderful Counselor has medicine that can heal the wounds and stop the bleeding. It's called the Balm of Gilead, and He can apply it to our hurts and give us peace. No one else is qualified for that kind of treatment.
Whenever you do seek counsel from a professional, or even casual counsel from friends, make certain the counsel is biblically sound. Not all Christians give biblically sound counsel.
I challenge you today, as I continually challenge myself, to determine that by God's grace, you'll learn to go to your Wonderful Counselor. You'll make a commitment that before you ever run to someone else, you'll run to Jesus. And whatever time you spend with earthly counselors, you'll spend more time with Jesus, talking about the problem, giving Him a chance to talk to you.
Turn off the radios, tune out the noise, get up early enough that you miss the household hustle-bustle, if necessary. But spend quiet time with your Wonderful Counselor. Make appointments with Him, just as you would an earthly counselor and keep those appointments. I promise you, you will find rest for your soul, answers to your questions, and guidance for your future. Jesus promised it, and He cannot lie.
Am I saying that we should never seek earthly counsel or help-professional or otherwise? No, there are times we need others' help and advice. And there are times when people who have particularly difficult problems need a biblically sound counselor.
But I do believe that most of us run to an earthly counselor before we really seek the help of the Wonderful Counselor. If a professional counselor advised us to see them three times a week for an hour each time, we'd do everything possible to keep the appointments. But how many of us would be willing to spend three hours a week seeking God's guidance, asking our Wonderful Counselor to speak to us, quietly sitting before Him, meditating on His Word and being in an attitude that gives Him an opportunity to give us inner guidance?
Earthly counselors may be helpful-again, if they are biblically sound-to help us see some things about ourselves that we need to see. But they can never heal us. Only the Wonderful Counselor has medicine that can heal the wounds and stop the bleeding. It's called the Balm of Gilead, and He can apply it to our hurts and give us peace. No one else is qualified for that kind of treatment.
Whenever you do seek counsel from a professional, or even casual counsel from friends, make certain the counsel is biblically sound. Not all Christians give biblically sound counsel.
I challenge you today, as I continually challenge myself, to determine that by God's grace, you'll learn to go to your Wonderful Counselor. You'll make a commitment that before you ever run to someone else, you'll run to Jesus. And whatever time you spend with earthly counselors, you'll spend more time with Jesus, talking about the problem, giving Him a chance to talk to you.
Turn off the radios, tune out the noise, get up early enough that you miss the household hustle-bustle, if necessary. But spend quiet time with your Wonderful Counselor. Make appointments with Him, just as you would an earthly counselor and keep those appointments. I promise you, you will find rest for your soul, answers to your questions, and guidance for your future. Jesus promised it, and He cannot lie.
May 22, 2007
Our Wonderful Counselor Part 3
What's wrong with earthly counseling? There's nothing inherently wrong. In fact we are urged to seek advice and counsel when making decisions, and all of us need trusted people in our lives to give us godly counsel. That's part of how the Body of Christ should work together. However, earthly counsel is subject to problems.
For example, earthly counselors can be wrong-dead wrong. They may be sincere and they may be truly trying to help us, but there is nothing to guarantee that they are right. Only your Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, is one hundred percent right all the time.
Earthly counselors often lead people to be self-focused, and that is a sure road to depression! I've seen people who've gone through much earthly counseling and find themselves much the worse for it-depressed, bitter, hateful people, full of self-pity and hopelessness. That earthly counselor used techniques learned in books and school which teach a real focus on digging into your past, finding scapegoats for your problems, shifting blame to others, and dredging up things that often are harmful.Counsel based on God's Word will lead you to acceptance, and away from self-centeredness and anger. The Wonderful Counselor will heal you of bitterness, instead of creating it. He'll teach you forgiveness, and this brings release and freedom from depression. He'll show you how your past, or your present circumstances, as bad as they seem, can be used as an instrument of good in your life if you will allow it.
Keep in mind I'm not talking about denial. Certain situations from our past need to be confronted, recognized, brought out into the open and dealt with. And when that is done biblically, the result is that the person is freed up to go forward and be used of God in his kingdom.
We have a Wonderful Counselor, ready at all times. Go to Him when you need help.
For example, earthly counselors can be wrong-dead wrong. They may be sincere and they may be truly trying to help us, but there is nothing to guarantee that they are right. Only your Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, is one hundred percent right all the time.
Earthly counselors often lead people to be self-focused, and that is a sure road to depression! I've seen people who've gone through much earthly counseling and find themselves much the worse for it-depressed, bitter, hateful people, full of self-pity and hopelessness. That earthly counselor used techniques learned in books and school which teach a real focus on digging into your past, finding scapegoats for your problems, shifting blame to others, and dredging up things that often are harmful.Counsel based on God's Word will lead you to acceptance, and away from self-centeredness and anger. The Wonderful Counselor will heal you of bitterness, instead of creating it. He'll teach you forgiveness, and this brings release and freedom from depression. He'll show you how your past, or your present circumstances, as bad as they seem, can be used as an instrument of good in your life if you will allow it.
Keep in mind I'm not talking about denial. Certain situations from our past need to be confronted, recognized, brought out into the open and dealt with. And when that is done biblically, the result is that the person is freed up to go forward and be used of God in his kingdom.
We have a Wonderful Counselor, ready at all times. Go to Him when you need help.
May 19, 2007
Our Wonderful Counselor Part 2
As Christians we have a Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, who has invited us to come to Him and find rest for our souls. Many times we go to others for counseling when we should turn to Him. I really think we should learn to turn to our Wonderful Counselor when we need guidance.
While earthly counsel and advice can be helpful at times, I believe most of us run to an earthly counselor before we really seek the help of the Wonderful Counselor. Many people spend hours each week seeking earthly counsel. But how much time are we willing to devote to seeking God's guidance, asking our Wonderful Counselor to speak to us, through quietly sitting before him, meditating on his Word, praying, and being in an attitude that gives him an opportunity to give us inner guidance?
Why are we so prone to seek earthly counsel instead of heavenly counsel? Well, because we can see and touch and hear an earthly person, and that feels good. Also, it's easier in a sense to seek earthly counsel than to seek heavenly counsel. And then, many times we don't want to hear what we know we'll hear when we go to the Lord. We look for some earthly counselor to validate our action or inactivity and make us feel better about what we know is wrong.
If you've been seeking earthly counsel, examine your heart and see if you've been doing it for the wrong reasons.
1 Year Anniversy of having a blog. With 243 blogs
While earthly counsel and advice can be helpful at times, I believe most of us run to an earthly counselor before we really seek the help of the Wonderful Counselor. Many people spend hours each week seeking earthly counsel. But how much time are we willing to devote to seeking God's guidance, asking our Wonderful Counselor to speak to us, through quietly sitting before him, meditating on his Word, praying, and being in an attitude that gives him an opportunity to give us inner guidance?
Why are we so prone to seek earthly counsel instead of heavenly counsel? Well, because we can see and touch and hear an earthly person, and that feels good. Also, it's easier in a sense to seek earthly counsel than to seek heavenly counsel. And then, many times we don't want to hear what we know we'll hear when we go to the Lord. We look for some earthly counselor to validate our action or inactivity and make us feel better about what we know is wrong.
If you've been seeking earthly counsel, examine your heart and see if you've been doing it for the wrong reasons.
1 Year Anniversy of having a blog. With 243 blogs
May 18, 2007
Our Wonderful Counselor Part 1
Do you have a need for a counselor, someone to talk with, someone to give you guidance and good advice? There is a Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, who is more qualified than anyone else to meet that need. You know, as often as I've gone to my Wonderful Counselor, He's never been unavailable. It just doesn't matter when or where, He's always there for me. Many earthly counselors can have difficulty relating to us, if they haven't had similar experiences. But not my Wonderful Counselor. I'm told in Scripture that He has suffered everything that I will ever suffer, and He is touched with the feelings of my weaknesses. You can never say to the Wonderful Counselor, "You don't understand." Jesus always understands. This is one Counselor-and the only one-who can guarantee the results. If we come to Him, He has promised to give us rest. He says we can learn from Him; He will teach us what we need to know about ourselves, about our relationships, about our feelings and emotions. When I can't understand myself, my own reactions, or even verbalize my feelings, I ask Him to unravel those jumbled feelings for me. And of course He does, because not only is He my Wonderful Counselor, He is also my Creator. Obviously, if He created me, He certainly understands what makes me tick! And so many times, as I've gotten quiet with Him, He has shown me things about my own personality puzzle that I never saw before.
I guess the world counselors would call it "getting in touch with your feelings," but I call it "getting in touch with your Creator." For sure I can trust the Creator of the Universe, especially since He loves me and wants only the best for me.So often when we feel the need for some help we call an earthly friend or a professional counselor. And we expect them to give us sympathy or advice or help us heal from our hurts. Sometimes they may be helpful, but often they fail us. That's because they may be well meaning, but they are not our Wonderful Counselor, like Jesus is. Honestly, now, do you seek earthly counsel more than you seek the counsel of Jesus? Do you turn to Jesus first, or only after you've tried everything and everyone else?
I commend to you this most Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, and I urge you to seek His counsel first and foremost. He's the Counselor with perfect wisdom as well as the power to make things different in your life.
I guess the world counselors would call it "getting in touch with your feelings," but I call it "getting in touch with your Creator." For sure I can trust the Creator of the Universe, especially since He loves me and wants only the best for me.So often when we feel the need for some help we call an earthly friend or a professional counselor. And we expect them to give us sympathy or advice or help us heal from our hurts. Sometimes they may be helpful, but often they fail us. That's because they may be well meaning, but they are not our Wonderful Counselor, like Jesus is. Honestly, now, do you seek earthly counsel more than you seek the counsel of Jesus? Do you turn to Jesus first, or only after you've tried everything and everyone else?
I commend to you this most Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, and I urge you to seek His counsel first and foremost. He's the Counselor with perfect wisdom as well as the power to make things different in your life.
May 17, 2007
Awesome Picture's
I hope you enjoy it. It is incredible! Pictures above are from a beach in Maryland. Isn't the artwork awesome?Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but HE did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.
I had these sent to me I thought you would enjoy them also.
May 16, 2007
EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT & LISTEN
Revelation 22:13 New International Version (NIV)13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Have you noticed that the News can only tell you what has already happened. They can't tell you what is going to happen in the future. God can tell you about the future. God knows the beginning from the end. God already knows what will happen. So find out for yourself. Get your news from the source. Get your news from God.
You know the voice of God. A lot of times we call it our conscience. It is like a knowing. You just know the right thing on the inside of you. Listen for the voice of God. Especially when you are making important decisions - Marriage, jobs, where to live, where to go to school, where to go to Church, etc. Listen for the voice of God.
Have you noticed that the News can only tell you what has already happened. They can't tell you what is going to happen in the future. God can tell you about the future. God knows the beginning from the end. God already knows what will happen. So find out for yourself. Get your news from the source. Get your news from God.
You know the voice of God. A lot of times we call it our conscience. It is like a knowing. You just know the right thing on the inside of you. Listen for the voice of God. Especially when you are making important decisions - Marriage, jobs, where to live, where to go to school, where to go to Church, etc. Listen for the voice of God.
May 15, 2007
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD"(Psalm 122:1).
Church should never be a chore. For king David, worshiping the LORD in His temple was not only a privilege, but something he earnestly longed for.
It was no chore or obligation for David to enter into the LORD'S presence, nor was he bored or in a hurry to get home. If he had one, I doubt he would have watched his watch.
When we are in the presence of God, hearing the Living Word of God, experiencing the mighty move of the LORD where else would we want to be? Is the football game more interesting than the LORD? Are our physical appetites making us want to leave the presence of the LORD? Is church such a chore and duty that we cannot wait to leave? If so, then there is a problem with the heart of the worshipper, and the problem is that the flesh is uncomfortable in the presence of God.
The more we fall in love with Jesus, the more we fall in love with His Church. The more we go to church with a need for more of God the more we will not want to leave His presence. Of course, when we leave church, we are not leaving His presence, because the LORD is with us and we should learn to worship Him all the time. But, we must understand that the LORD wants us to gather together on the first day of the week, (Sunday) and worship Him, then we can worship Him all week.
Like David, our hearts must desire the LORD so strongly that our very soul pants for the presence of God.
It was no chore or obligation for David to enter into the LORD'S presence, nor was he bored or in a hurry to get home. If he had one, I doubt he would have watched his watch.
When we are in the presence of God, hearing the Living Word of God, experiencing the mighty move of the LORD where else would we want to be? Is the football game more interesting than the LORD? Are our physical appetites making us want to leave the presence of the LORD? Is church such a chore and duty that we cannot wait to leave? If so, then there is a problem with the heart of the worshipper, and the problem is that the flesh is uncomfortable in the presence of God.
The more we fall in love with Jesus, the more we fall in love with His Church. The more we go to church with a need for more of God the more we will not want to leave His presence. Of course, when we leave church, we are not leaving His presence, because the LORD is with us and we should learn to worship Him all the time. But, we must understand that the LORD wants us to gather together on the first day of the week, (Sunday) and worship Him, then we can worship Him all week.
Like David, our hearts must desire the LORD so strongly that our very soul pants for the presence of God.
May 14, 2007
God Know's All
God knows all. God sees all. Even the little things. He cares about you. All of you. Even things people excuse as silly and unimportant. If God has every hair on your head numbered, then how much more do you think He cares about the rest of you. Every little thing does not leave the sight of the Lord. You are His creation, and He never thinks anything about you is unimportant. So remember to look for God in the little things. He’s definitely in there. He is in everything.
May 12, 2007
Happy Mother's Day 2007
WONDERFUL MOTHER
God made a wonderful mother,A mother who never grows old;He made her smile of the sunshine,And He moulded her heart of pure gold;In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,In her cheeks fair roses you see;God made a wonderful mother,And He gave that dear mother to me.--Pat O'Reilly
M-O-T-H-E-R
"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be.
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"A word that means the world to me.--Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
God made a wonderful mother,A mother who never grows old;He made her smile of the sunshine,And He moulded her heart of pure gold;In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,In her cheeks fair roses you see;God made a wonderful mother,And He gave that dear mother to me.--Pat O'Reilly
M-O-T-H-E-R
"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be.
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"A word that means the world to me.--Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
May 11, 2007
Being A Mother
The women in my life my wife,mom,and daughter.
Happy Mothers Day!!!!
I recieved this in my e-mail I thought you might enjoy it. It's very touching
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another
woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much." That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her> house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go> out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting." We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only> read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered. A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."
May 10, 2007
Give Him All You Got
Have you ever said that you’re bored with church? You become fed up with the same old thing each Sunday and eventually you just quit. You go out and live according to worldly standards, wearing and tearing on your soul. Things go wrong and you become desperate, then you come to God for help. And you say that you are bringing God your body as a living sacrifice; yet it’s a body that’s been aged by sin. The heart you’re giving Him now has been broken, torn, stained with sin, and you are hesitant to give it completely. You give God leftovers or second best.
I encourage you; when you give your life to Christ, give completely. Yes, He can take that tattered heart and make it new, but only when we completely commit to Him. God didn’t give you what was leftover, He gave His ONLY son. He gave His best for you. Jesus died for you, live your best life for Him.
Hear His Word,believe it,repent of all your sins,confess, and be baptized for the remission of sin's then remain faithful.
I encourage you; when you give your life to Christ, give completely. Yes, He can take that tattered heart and make it new, but only when we completely commit to Him. God didn’t give you what was leftover, He gave His ONLY son. He gave His best for you. Jesus died for you, live your best life for Him.
Hear His Word,believe it,repent of all your sins,confess, and be baptized for the remission of sin's then remain faithful.
May 9, 2007
Please And Thank You
It is far too easy to know others for so long that we begin to take themfor granted. Simple politeness begins to fade away and the silence of verbal appreciation becomes deafening. The words "please" and "THANK YOU" begin to disappear from the daily vocabulary only to be replaced by grumbling when others don't do what has now become to be the expected.
Let me suggest a little experiment for you in your home to see where youare personally in this regard. How often do you say "THANK YOU" when another member of your family does something as simple as opening a door, handing you some silverware, taking out the trash, etc.? Does it hurt to say "THANK YOU" for even the simple deed others perform? Doesn't the verbalized "THANK YOU" tend to encourage its continuance by acknowledging it is noticed and appreciated?
Now consider your prayers as well. Have you taken God's awareness of your life and His blessings for granted? Do you pray for guidance and then not THANK HIM for it? How much of your prayer time is filled with petitions(requests) compared to THANKS?
Both the manner in which we live and the verbalized "THANK YOU" reveal our continual awareness of God and our appreciation for all the ways in which He has and will bless our life. May we take none of His blessings for granted. It is the THANKFUL heart that aids in keeping the relationship close.
Let me suggest a little experiment for you in your home to see where youare personally in this regard. How often do you say "THANK YOU" when another member of your family does something as simple as opening a door, handing you some silverware, taking out the trash, etc.? Does it hurt to say "THANK YOU" for even the simple deed others perform? Doesn't the verbalized "THANK YOU" tend to encourage its continuance by acknowledging it is noticed and appreciated?
Now consider your prayers as well. Have you taken God's awareness of your life and His blessings for granted? Do you pray for guidance and then not THANK HIM for it? How much of your prayer time is filled with petitions(requests) compared to THANKS?
Both the manner in which we live and the verbalized "THANK YOU" reveal our continual awareness of God and our appreciation for all the ways in which He has and will bless our life. May we take none of His blessings for granted. It is the THANKFUL heart that aids in keeping the relationship close.
May 5, 2007
Slow To Speak
JAMES 1:19 NIV19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
How many times have you said something and later regretted it?Too often we practice: Speak now and think later.What would happen if you silently consulted with God beforespeaking? If you thought about, and prayed about, everything you said -- before you said it -- your life would be different.1 PETER 3:10- 10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue,and guard your lips from telling lies.
Words are powerful and should be used to accomplish a purpose.Don't just talk for no reason.
PROVERBS 17:28 NIV28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can by talking.Be slow to speak!
How many times have you said something and later regretted it?Too often we practice: Speak now and think later.What would happen if you silently consulted with God beforespeaking? If you thought about, and prayed about, everything you said -- before you said it -- your life would be different.1 PETER 3:10- 10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue,and guard your lips from telling lies.
Words are powerful and should be used to accomplish a purpose.Don't just talk for no reason.
PROVERBS 17:28 NIV28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can by talking.Be slow to speak!
May 4, 2007
Jim's Story
For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:10
Jim Harvey was a successful manager in a multi-billion-dollar company. He was married, had a daughter attending a top university and was deacon in his church.But then, over a period of 10 years, God did some major surgery in Jim's life. Here's his story:I had tremendous confidence in my own ability. I tolerated no weakness; everything was under my control.Then I learned my daughter was on hard drugs and my wife was addicted to alcohol. A short time later my daughter left college, and my wife filed for divorce. I gained custody of my two younger children and became a single parent.I began to understand that, when I was helpless to deal with a situation, I could turn it over to God and He would meet my needs. I also became a serious student of the Bible, finishing five years of the Bible Study Fellowship program. I met and married Carole, a committed Christian. Surely, I thought, God was through teaching me and breaking down my pride. I was wrong.When the stock market crashed in 1987, we lost most of our savings. Carole and I saw God's mercy when she had surgery for cancer that was successfully treated.For years I tried to talk with my daughter about Christ, but she had no interest. Finally, Carole and I decided to pray and ask God to work in her life.Two months later I received one of the most dreaded phone calls a parent can get: "Dad, I have tested positive with the AIDS virus." With nowhere else to turn, she received Christ as her Savior and has devoted her life to ministering in a hospital for dying AIDS patients.I feel privileged to have learned the lessons each situation has brought. I'm better able to comfort those who find themselves in similar circumstances. With each trial, God has broken down my arrogance and pride, and has shown me His sufficiency.Honest stuff, huh? Jim learned the hard way that God is still faithful when everything is stripped away.
What has God done in the past to break down your pride? What has He done recently?
Pray That God would show you how to depend on Him in times of trial.
Jim Harvey was a successful manager in a multi-billion-dollar company. He was married, had a daughter attending a top university and was deacon in his church.But then, over a period of 10 years, God did some major surgery in Jim's life. Here's his story:I had tremendous confidence in my own ability. I tolerated no weakness; everything was under my control.Then I learned my daughter was on hard drugs and my wife was addicted to alcohol. A short time later my daughter left college, and my wife filed for divorce. I gained custody of my two younger children and became a single parent.I began to understand that, when I was helpless to deal with a situation, I could turn it over to God and He would meet my needs. I also became a serious student of the Bible, finishing five years of the Bible Study Fellowship program. I met and married Carole, a committed Christian. Surely, I thought, God was through teaching me and breaking down my pride. I was wrong.When the stock market crashed in 1987, we lost most of our savings. Carole and I saw God's mercy when she had surgery for cancer that was successfully treated.For years I tried to talk with my daughter about Christ, but she had no interest. Finally, Carole and I decided to pray and ask God to work in her life.Two months later I received one of the most dreaded phone calls a parent can get: "Dad, I have tested positive with the AIDS virus." With nowhere else to turn, she received Christ as her Savior and has devoted her life to ministering in a hospital for dying AIDS patients.I feel privileged to have learned the lessons each situation has brought. I'm better able to comfort those who find themselves in similar circumstances. With each trial, God has broken down my arrogance and pride, and has shown me His sufficiency.Honest stuff, huh? Jim learned the hard way that God is still faithful when everything is stripped away.
What has God done in the past to break down your pride? What has He done recently?
Pray That God would show you how to depend on Him in times of trial.
May 3, 2007
Guilty
Years ago when people were guilty of something, they accepted it and acted upon it according to what they had done. As years went by, guilt begin to fade a little. People knew of their sins, yet tucked the sin and guilt away deep down in their hearts. Today, we have therapists who say to do away with guilt all together. They tell us that there is no need to feel guilty. Guilt can be explained, but in most cases there is no need for it to be excused from situations.
How does God see guilt? I think He sees it as a gift. It’s like touching a hot stove. As soon as you feel the burn, you know something is wrong. Such as the spirit when we sin. We get that feeling deep within us that a line has been crossed. Do you ignore the guilt or do you search to find where you have gone wrong? Or, can your guilt be illegitimate? Maybe. Sometimes our nerves cause us to feel something that really isn’t there. But most of the time, if you feel something is there, it is. This is where you rely on God to show you if you have feelings of illegitimate guilt or illegitimate innocence.
Are there sins in your life that have caused you to feel guilty? And have you allowed that guilt to be a blessing or a curse? Ignored guilt can cause your joy to be stolen, your relationship with God to be broken, and the enemy to have the chance to fight you harder than ever. Don’t allow the guilt of sin to take this hold on your life. Ask God to take that guilt and replace it with His grace!
How does God see guilt? I think He sees it as a gift. It’s like touching a hot stove. As soon as you feel the burn, you know something is wrong. Such as the spirit when we sin. We get that feeling deep within us that a line has been crossed. Do you ignore the guilt or do you search to find where you have gone wrong? Or, can your guilt be illegitimate? Maybe. Sometimes our nerves cause us to feel something that really isn’t there. But most of the time, if you feel something is there, it is. This is where you rely on God to show you if you have feelings of illegitimate guilt or illegitimate innocence.
Are there sins in your life that have caused you to feel guilty? And have you allowed that guilt to be a blessing or a curse? Ignored guilt can cause your joy to be stolen, your relationship with God to be broken, and the enemy to have the chance to fight you harder than ever. Don’t allow the guilt of sin to take this hold on your life. Ask God to take that guilt and replace it with His grace!
May 2, 2007
Sin Hurts
ROMANS 6:23 23 When someone sins, he earns what sin pays--death. But God gives us a free gift--life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sin is a teacher whose lessons are hard and painful.You can't keep your hand in fire without being burned. And you can't sin without hurting people.Sin harms humans. That's why God classifies it as sin. All sinhurts someone. The reason God is against sin is because He is for people.Because sin has consequences, it eventually will convince you of the error of sinning -- if you live long enough. But why ruin your life finding out what you can know now just by reading the Bible?God is not a killjoy. His purpose is not to keep the human race from enjoying life.All that God has written in the Bible is for our benefit.
God already knows everything. He gave us the Bible so we could knowthe truth.The truth is: sin is bad. Sin hurts.
Sin is a teacher whose lessons are hard and painful.You can't keep your hand in fire without being burned. And you can't sin without hurting people.Sin harms humans. That's why God classifies it as sin. All sinhurts someone. The reason God is against sin is because He is for people.Because sin has consequences, it eventually will convince you of the error of sinning -- if you live long enough. But why ruin your life finding out what you can know now just by reading the Bible?God is not a killjoy. His purpose is not to keep the human race from enjoying life.All that God has written in the Bible is for our benefit.
God already knows everything. He gave us the Bible so we could knowthe truth.The truth is: sin is bad. Sin hurts.
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